Photographic accessory



Sept. 20, 1949. B. c. HAMILTON PHOTOGRAPHIC ACCESSOR Filed July 9, 1948Patented Sept. 20, 1949 Burton Hamilton, Brookline, Mass. ApplicationJuly 9, 1948,Serial No. 37,913

2 Claims.

' 1 My present invention relates generally to photographic accessories,and more particularly to a novel, useful, and eflicient device forassociation with the standard trayused for'developing and washing films, plates, or prints in the process of finishing the same.

In the normal processing of prints and the like,

I have found that the washing and rinsing operation is generallyperformed in an appropriate tray which fits into a sink or other drainand which is further associated with any standard water faucet by meansof a hose connection. To materially expedite this operation, it is theusual practice to wash a number of such prints simultane ously,whichoften tends to crowd the trayand thus causes the prints to stick or packtogether. To overcome this difficulty it has been customary to oscillatethe tray or to have the waterflowing into the tray so that the printswill be induced to circulate. Also the tray may be tilted at an angle toallow the liquid to flow out, or the depth of the liquid may becontrolled by providing any suitable means, such as a syphon, toregulate the same.

I have discovered, however, that this prior procedure will not alwayskeep the water sumciently agitated to maintain the prints in properlyseparated relation, so that a main object of my invention is to providea device which will obviate the above-mentioned objection by includingmeans,

to spray. water throughout. the tray at divergent angles and at varyingdepths, and to maintain the liquid or water in said tray atapredetermined level.

Another important object of my invention pertains to the novel in mydevice whereby it may be readily attached to washing trays of any size.I also prefer to design such tray-attaching portion in the form of acombination spring clamp and handle, so that it will provide aconvenient versatile gripping member adapted to aid in the assembly,removal, and transportation of the entire unit. 7 A further prime objectof my invention resides in the adaptability of its construction wherebyit may be readily made with or without the inclusion of a syphoningattachment. l

Still further objects of my novel and handy print washer relate to the"attractiveness of its design and color combination, the extremesimplicity of its construction, its inexpensive cost,

and its durability. Other objects, features, and details of constructionwill be hereinafter more fully pointed clamping means incorporated outin the accompanying description and defined in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein I show 7 preferred embodiments ofmy invention:

Fig. 1 isa side elevational view of my novel print washer; I r 1 Fig. 2is a front elevational view of'the same; Fig. 3 is a side elevationalview, partly in cross-section, of my novel print'washer having asyphoning apparatus incorporated therewith, and" Fig. 4 is a top planview of the unit shown in Fig. 3.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, I have illustrated my photographicprint washer for association with a standard processmg tray ascomprising a'feed tube designated generallyat [0, which is formed with avertical perforated lower portion H, provided with a plurality of smallopenings I4|4 drilled therethru at divergent angles on thefront and sidesurfaces thereof, and an upper extended portion [2 adapted to connectwith awater faucet thru the medium of a usual rubber hose or otherwater-conducting means. I have shown the spray openings l4-I4 as beingin staggered relation vertically, as well as being drilled at divergentangles, since I have foundthat such arrangement produces excellentresults in maintaining the water in the tray at the proper degree ofagitation throughout its entire depth. Supporting the tube I0 is asubstantially U- shaped bracket element l5 consisting of a flat baseportion It, a slanting back portion I! and an approximatelyfiat topportion l8.

Suitably formed in the base I6 is a circular recess IQ of appropriatesize to receive the bottom of the tube In and, thus, the sameare'morticed together, and, if desired, may be permanently secured byfusing or cementing in order to impart strength and rigidity to theunit. As thus united, I preferaby drill another spray open-. ing 24, asshown in Fig. 2, thru both the end of the base [6 and the contiguouswall of the tube portion H adjacent the bottom thereof, therebysupplying additional agitating means along the bottom of the processingtray. i The bracket top [8 is provided with a suitable opening thruwhich the tube Hi may-fit and be supportedtherein. The bracket backportion I1 is'slanted at an appropriate angle to closely approximate thelevel of. the side of the processing tray and is also ofsufficientlength to correspond; with the standard height of said tray side. I

Adapted. to cooperate with both the tube It and the bracket 15 is thethird and remaining part of my device, a spring clamping elementdesignated generally as 20. Said clamp is formed with an opening thereinadjacent the end of a fiat section 2| thru which the tube It is alsofitted, and which opening and section 2| fit directly above andcorrespond identically with said top portion i8 and its openingtherethru. Further, to impart added strength and stability to my unit Icement or fuse the portion l8 and the section 21 together, where theyare parallel and in contact, as shown in the drawings, and each in turnto the tube I a so that each one of the three parts-tube, bracket, andclamp-reinforces and is, in turn, reinforced by the other two.

The clamp is also shaped at the opposite end in the form of a loopedsection 22, the back of which contacts the back of said bracket portionI7, and between which sections 22 and 2| is a point of spring 23 whichis predetermined by both my design of the construction and the inherentresiliency of the material.

It will be apparent that the clamp 26 is appropriately designed to serveas a handle for my unit'when the same is being assembled, removed, ortransported, and is particularly adapted for attachment to a tray edgeinserted between the section 22 and the back portion H.

I prefer to form my print washer out of synthetic plastic material, suchas Plexiglas, as being peculiarly suited to this type of photographicaccessory, as each section can thus be made ofa different color forattractiveness and the unit light in weight but of durable constructionand attractive color.

When utilizing my novel print washer, I first attach my unit centrallyof the processin tray by positioning the edge of the tray in the openingbetween the loop section '22 .and the bracket back ii, and then pressingdownwardly until the bracket base '45 sets firmly on the tray bottom,thus causing the back l! to rest against the side of the tray and thespring clamp 20 to retain the unit as thus positioned under sufficienttension.

Upon inserting the free end of the extended tube portion E2 in thefaucet hose, I am now prepared to adjust the flow of water .until thedesired degree of turbulence is obtained thru the sprays of water beingforced at divergent angles and at varying levels out of the perforationsI i-44 and 24.

In using my device as above described and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thesame not including a syphoning arrangement, any convenient means such asa wedge, or the like, may be placed under one side of the tray tocontrol the overflow, preferably limiting it to one side only.

As thus set up, I can readily insert my prints in the tray for thewashing operation, .and can be assured of a sufiicient, constant, andeffective print-agitation due to my novel construction so that saidprints will :always remain well separated and not become stackedtogether.

In Figs. 3 and 4,1 have illustrated a modifica-. tion of my deviceconstructed and equipped for utomatic syphoning. In such modification Ishow my apparatus which includes the tube .111, U-shaped bracket t5,andlcurved clamping member :29 essentially as above described. Toincorporate therewith the :syp'honing means, I form an appropriate:opening thru the corresponding and united parts 1! 8 .and .21 saidopening being :of largerdiameter than that shown in Figs. :1 and 2 toreceive and 'holdkin Jfused relation an inverted barrel 25, the closedtop of which fits tightly around-said tube 1 0 to provide a collar26.

"The barrel 25 extends substantially equidistant all) above and belowthe united portions l8 and 2|, the upper half of said barrel 25 beingprovided with an opening 2? into which is sealed one end of a rearwardlyextending syphon tube 28, while the lower half of said barrel 25 isadapted to control the water level in the tray.

As clearly shown in Fig. 3, I preferably form the tube 28 curved on asimilar arc to that of the clamp 20 and as a means of imparting addedrigidity to my complete unit, and also as shown, I prefer to fuse orotherwise secure the upper parts of said clamp 20 and tube 28 whereparallel and in contact. Beyond the fused portion I separate the clampand tube slightly to provide sufficient space for the spring function ofsaid clamp 20, as above explained.

I have shownthe bottom of said tube 28 cemented or fused to and carryinga seal cup 30 which is adapted to rest upon the sink or other drain intowhich the processing tray is placed, and which cup 36 is constructedwith the sides thereof suitably above the bottom of the tube 28 so thatthe arrangement will serve to hold the vacuum seal oncethesyphon is inoperation. Drilled in the tube Iildirectly in central relation to saidopening 2'? is a'suitable opening 25 thru which the water willflow tofillup the tube 28. Thus, automatic syphoning results.

When the liquid level in the tray rises above thelower opening in thebarrel 25, the water supply from the faucet is of greater capacity andvolume than the escaping spray thru the openings in the tube l0 and,hence, a sufiicien-t barometric pressure is built up to cause anoverflow thru the syphon 2B, which .syphoning action is further inducedby'the jet or spray thru the opening 29. Once the syphoning action is inoperation, the liquid level in the cup 30 will hold the syphon tube fulland, thus, expedite a succeeding as well as a continuing ,syphoningaction.

I claim:

v1. As a new article of manufacture, a photographic accessory forattachment to a printwashing tray, comprising, in intersupportingassociation, a substantially U-shaped bracket, an intake tube, and asprin member, said bracket designed to engage the inside of said tray,with its upper arm surrounding said tube and its lower arm resting onthe bottom of said tray and attached to the bottom of the intake tube,the top of said tube being arranged for connection with a liquid suppland the lower portion of said tube being formed with a plurality .ofspray openings drilled therein at divergent angles and at staggeredheights, said spring positioned in reinforcing relation with the upperarm of said bracket and constructed and arranged to contact the outsideof said tray under tension.

'2. As a new article of manufacture, a photographic accessory forattachment to a printwashing tray, comprising, in intersupportinassociation, a substantially 'U-shaped bracket, a barrel, an intaketube, a siphon element and a spring member, said bracket "designed toengage the inside of said tray with its upper arm surrounding saidbarreland its lower :a'rm resting on the bottommfsaid tray :and attachedto the bottom of said intake tube. said intake tube passing :thru saidbarrel and having an upper portion arranged -rfor connection with aliquid supply, and a lower portion formed with a plurality of sprayopenings therein, said barrel closed at the top and open at the bottom,said siphon element connected with said barrel and extendingidownwardly, aseal cup attached to the lower end of 2,482,479 p 5 v 6}said element, a spray opening in said intake tube 7 REFERENCES CITEDopposite the entrance to said siphon element, said spring memberpositioned between said siphon The foliowmg references are of record inthe element and saidbracket in reinforcing relation fi 0f 6111s p n withthe upper arm of said bracket and in sup- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTSporting relation to said siphon element, and constructed and arranged tocontact the outside of Number Name Date said tray under tension1,136,705 Nlchols ADI. 20, 1 15 1,558,358 Hickman Oct. 20, 1925 SchnetzJan. 11, 1938 BURTON c. HAMILTON. 10 2,105,165

